Say What?

Every day I go about my daily business not knowing what impact it's having on a 3yr old.  I never know exactly what Nate is retaining.  How much of the tv shows does he comprehend, how much of what I say does he pay attention to, what interests him... he surprises me sometimes and other times I think he is all *boy*.  You know the Y chromosome lacks that listening gene ;)  

I especially like when he changes the title of something.  For instance, he still calls dandelions *flower bubbles* and when he cries he says, 'wipe my drips'  not tears or face, but drips.  Yesterday (or last wk) (or last month) is still 'one last day'  He will say, 'Did we go to the store one last day?' Kona is still being called 'Kaka' and he talks really well so it's not because he can't say Kona... whenever her image and name formed a link in his brain it is forever kaka.  

Besides changing titles I've learned he is a quiet observer.  We were standing outside his classroom the other day with his teachers and they asked him 'what did we do today' and he went on and on about a worm activity.  There was a big one and small one, they live in the dirt... yada yada... but the teachers were impressed because he doesn't say too much during the activity.  I have no idea how to gauge that, but they said he basically recited all they said... you just don't know when he is listening.  Sometimes I'll ask a question and he looks at me like I"m from the planet Mars and other times he will know everything.  BTW, if I said I was from the planet Mars he would be quick to correct me and say I live on Earth (Nate is a very literal child haha)

Here is one that caught me totally off guard.  We got some castle molds for his kinetic sand the other day.  He opened them on the way home.  He yells from the back seat, 'Look mom Taj Mahal'.  I know I never taught him that, so I asked, 'What did you just say?' I figured I just heard him wrong.  He repeated Taj Mahal.  I got home and looked at it and gosh darn it, it was a little Taj.  I asked where did you hear that?  He said Little Einsteins.  Ok.  Guess those cartoons aren't totally bad for you!    

Now for the worst part of him listening to everything (well everything that he chooses to listen to... y chromosome remember).  Kona came to the door with a dead bird in her mouth (long story.... we have a salmonella outbreak maybe, I think..) anyway.  The minute I said 'Oh No' I realized the 3 yr old next to me said something else 'OH Sh*t'...  While impressive that he used it in the right context, not impressive that I've probably said that at some point.  I don't cuss often, but when I do there is probably a 3 yr old picking up on my every syllable.  Oy Vey

T-Ball

I guess it has started.  You know the endless hours of watching your kid in sports.  Practices, games, getting snacks...  It's both exciting and daunting.  Luckily at 3-5 year old T-ball there isn't much of a time commitment.  He has practice right before they play a game.  The coach focuses on one skill each practice.  There has been 3 games so far.  

Now the word *game* is used very loosely here.  It is more of an organized chaos... nah it's mostly chaos.  One team hits (all the batters get a chance, no score, nothing) and one team catches. So a tiny person hits the ball and ALL of the other tiny people rush toward the ball.  Tears are shed sometimes if the kid who wanted the ball didn't get the ball and usually whoever has the ball has no clue what to do with it.   

So while everyone is watching the team try and get the ball, the batter (now runner) is just randomly running.  Sometimes they stop at first base, sometimes they just keep running, sometimes they don't run at all, sometimes straight to 2nd base.  You can't help but laugh the entire time... the cluelessness is so cute.  Of course there are always a few who totally know whats going on, but for the most part its hilarious.

Nate one time was so focused on holding his batting helmet on he just ran right over first into outfield and just continued running.  I was laughing because 'where did he think he was going?, was he going to ever stop?'... total crack up.  

There are definitely a few meltdowns every game (a few from Nate).  Unfortunately Nate hasn't totally warmed up to Tball.  He clings to Kevin and just kind of is on the brink of sad for the first part.  We give a little tough love and after one round of batting he starts having fun.  We are hoping the sad part will be shorter and shorter over time.  He also isn't a huge fan of wearing the hat (or any hat... ever ...since birth practically)   

This is sad Nate - he didn't want to be out in the field (cutest sad kid ever)

It is cool Kevin is helping coach.  Well, I use the word *coach* loosely since really he is a cheerleader who rounds up confused kids ;)  I think once Nate is a little more independent and not clinging to Kevin for part of the practice it will become more fun to coach. 

The best part is, no matter what, Nate always says how much fun he had.  I will think it looked like the worst time ever and he is like 'wow, that was fun' so you just never know what is going on in that preschooler head.  It usually ends on a good note where he is having fun so that is what he remembers I guess.  All I know is I enjoy watching this pint size bobble head playing baseball and I can't wait to watch for years to come.

C'mon looks like a pint size bobble head right? :)

He loves to bat and run the bases

Helping Out

I've read more than once that preschoolers like to help out and feel useful - it builds confidence.  Because of this I try and always think of things he can do.  Things like putting the dishwasher soap in and starting the dishwasher.  Letting the dogs in/out.  Putting clothes in the washer.  Sweeping in the garage.  Refilling the bird feeder.  Putting things in the recycle bin.  Adding ingredients when I cook (yes yes yes I cook... no matter what Kevin says, don't believe him... or maybe believe him, everything is unconfirmed at this point) 

One of the cutest things he helps out with lately though is handyman stuff.  We have been hanging a few pictures up (it only took almost a year of living here.. whoops) and he follows with his measuring tape, hammer and screwdriver ready to help.  Grandma Mimi (my mom) gave Nate a tool set for Christmas and he uses it all the time when he is *helping* out.  His measurements are still a bit off, but he is coming along nicely.  He hammers pretty straight on actually, I was worried about the wall, but the walls haven't been too beat up.

He gets excited when we mention household projects.    Let's hope he keeps that attitude when he has to pull weeds and mow the lawn as he gets older :) We bought a few seeds to put in the yard and I think its warm enough to plant some flowers so I'm looking forward to working with my preschool digging assistant.  I can see how it is easy to not let the little guys help since it does take longer and sometimes you don't even get to finish, but I assume it will all payoff one day and what else do I really need to rush off to...  plus seeing a 3yr old with a  power drill thinking he is fixing stuff could not be cuter.  

Hi my old friend

Hello is there anybody out there... just blog if you can hear me...  urgh I'm so mad at myself.  Not sure why I haven't blogged.. lots of excuses , but no real reason ... lazy at night, too many day naps ;), too many chores at night, he is growing up so fast I can barely keep up... who knows.  All I know is I hate that I'm not blogging. hate hate hate it.  It is one of the few things I really really enjoy doing (writing) and it helps me keep a little bit of me during the busy preschooler days.  

And boy are they busy.  I often think how nice it'd be for Nate to have a live in playmate... well that isn't Mocha or Kona haha.  He wants to play and isn't quite ready to be independent so that means I'm his best friend (which I love), but doesn't give me much free time to get anything else done during the day.  Of course 98% of the time it's a great fun, but I won't lie, there are a few mornings I wish I could finish one cup of coffee before playing.  Now he still naps, which is awesome and I hope by typing this I don't jinx myself, but I usually eat and watch a show (you know the shows Kevin won't watch) and have some downtime during that time.  For some reason it is like the twilight zone though - that time just zips by.. an hour feels like 5 min.  The dogs get a little one on one time then too - snuggling with the pups is always one of my favorite (and necessary) things to do.  

The weather is starting to get nicer and we have already been going outside more. I've seen more bees already - BOOO! He started baseball (more on that later... hopefully... don't hold your breath, but hopefully).  It is amazing how much he is taking in and asking about and he really is starting to crack me up.  He does things on purpose to make me laugh, cracks me up.  It wasn't like before where he just did funny things by accident, he knows he is being silly.  For instance, he beat me to the garage to go to preschool and he had the dog cone on his head (I have big dogs so it covered his entire head and face).  He turns to me and says I want to wear this hat to school and he was all serious...  and then busted out laughing.  

He LOVES school still too.  He is finally getting a little more social at school - At least that is what the teachers feedback is.  He gets excited for show and share every tues. - He loves to pick out something.  Which brings me to his latest hobby SPACE.  He brought a solar system model in one week and space books from the library the next week.  It's possible the other kids are bored with his show and share ;) He is really into space right now though.  Which as you could guess I don't mind - I'll talk science any time!! 

It's pretty cool how he can name all the planets and just gets so excited to talk about them.  He knows the proper order from the sun etc. etc.  I've also learned stuff - I can't wait to relearn all the little stuff I've forgotten over the years.  That might be one of the most fun things about parenting - learning.  I had no idea how many moons Jupiter had or that the spot on Neptune is a storm as big as the Earth. 

I was trying to think what he was really into before SPACE, but I can't remember... hhmmm  I mean he has been obsessed with Easter eggs since visiting Arizona in Feb.  He loves putting stuff in them and opening them.  Marbles, bouncy balls.. whatever.  We've have probably hidden and opened a million eggs since Feb.  Also, that kid peeks when you hide them ... lil sucker :)  

So many milestones... too many to remember as I write this right now.... First Birthday party with a kid from school, first time playing an organized sport (tball), first time going to the bathroom solo (although this doesn't happen a lot, but it happened)  I may coddle him more than I should still ... c'mon he is an only child.  First time traveling with only me on an airplane (Feb to AZ) and he was awesome (once again I hope I don't jinx myself for the next trip)... First time swinging on a big boy swing alone and liking it... I'll remember more, but that's a start

There are two side note things: 1) He insists on taking his shoes off immediately when he gets home, I mean I can't even get in the door and they are off and 2) He loves to say, "Why do you always want to (fill in the blank)"  This is usually not a good thing...  Here are some examples "Why do you always want to go to the bathroom before nap" "Why do you always want to see baby animals" "Why do you always want to go to bed""Why do you always want me to wear sweet shirts"... basically anything he doesn't want to do... so funny.  He says it in the most whiney voice too.

Ok well there is a quick update.  Like I said, hopefully more to come.... and more specific not so much in one post.